Chapter 377: The Gym Owner and the President's Shock
Ren's gaze fell upon Hiyama Shunka, who was being held protectively in Kurayoshi Rino's arms. He asked gently, his voice laced with confusion, "So, Miss Hiyama, why did you come looking for me? Is this about Akoya Seishu?"
Sōryūin Shion and the others turned their attention to her as well, their expressions curious. Hiyama Shunka's voice was barely a whisper. "That's… that's part of the reason… but it's not the only one… In short, I wanted to talk to Mr. Ren about something…"
A playful glint appeared in Sōryūin Shion's eyes. She glanced at Ren, a mischievous smile spreading across her lips. "I guess Sayaka was right after all. You really are a heart thief, aren't you? Or should I say, Akoya Seishu is just that much of a scoundrel?"
Ren lightly flicked Shion's forehead, a familiar gesture of exasperation. "Miss Hiyama, please don't take her seriously," he said softly. "Shion, this idiot, seems a bit overexcited today. Please excuse her."
Hiyama Shunka shook her head repeatedly but remained silent. Ren considered for a moment before suggesting, "In that case… let's find a place to talk properly at noon. This doesn't seem like the best environment for a conversation."
"Mhm, mhm, mhm!"
A bright smile blossomed on Hiyama Shunka's face. Kurayoshi Rino's own expression softened, a hint of excitement in her eyes. This was the first time she would have the chance to have a proper conversation with Ren, and her heart thrummed with anticipation.
Just then, Lucifer looked around, a puzzled frown on her face. "Huh? Where's Sora? Don't tell me that girl went to the gym again."
Sōryūin Shion waved a dismissive hand. "No, Koyo Academy has regular classes today, so they all went back to school. Akemi slept in too late last night and woke up even later this morning, so she didn't go looking for Sora."
Lucifer nodded in understanding. "That's fine," she said with a small smile. "At least Hibiki is there. If she's late, she'll have someone with her."
"As the President of Koyo Academy, I have to say this," Shion declared with mock seriousness. "If you were a student at our school, you'd be a freshman for life. You want to graduate? Dream on!"
Lucifer's mouth twitched. "I was just making a comment. But with Gina around, it should be fine. Among all of them, Ayaka is still the most reliable."
"I agree. Akemi has been way too out of line lately. We need to manage the high school department properly."
Lucifer's tone turned teasing. "You? You're going to manage the high school department? That's a bold claim."
"And why is that?"
"Because Auntie Yaksha is there."
"Uh…" Shion's bravado vanished instantly. "Then we'll talk about it after she gets into Tokyo University!"
Lucifer rolled her eyes. "Oh my goodness… did you lose your memory? That day on the boat when you were drunk, you were the one who said you wanted Akemi to get into Tokyo University later. Can you really manage things that far in the future?"
"I… no… Lucifer, we're on the same side!"
Lucifer paused, then gave a light, unconvincing cough. "Ahem… uh… I must have mistaken you for Yuko. I'll be more careful next time."
"You're really something else…"
While the women chatted, Ren and Kaolan had already resumed their training. Kurayoshi Rino and Hiyama Shunka watched their every move, completely captivated. Uehara Nana, however, stood to the side, looking a bit stunned.
'Hibiki, Akemi, Sora, Lucifer, Yuko… and my own younger sister, Ayaka,' she thought, processing the names. 'And that woman just said she's the President of Koyo Academy.' Her mind raced, connecting the dots. Suddenly, her eyes widened as she looked at Ren, a gasp of surprise escaping her lips. "You're the Shopkeeper Ayaka was talking about!"
Her sudden exclamation startled Sōryūin Shion and the others. Lucifer turned to her, confused. "You know Ayaka, too?"
Uehara Nana rolled her eyes. "Of course I know my own sister!"
"Sister?!" came the chorused reply from Shion, Lucifer, and Rino.
Uehara Nana tossed her hair back with a confident smile. "Uehara Nana, Uehara Ayaka's older sister. You must be the older brothers and sisters my little sister has been talking about nonstop these past few days. I didn't expect to meet you all like this. That girl must have caused you some trouble, so please forgive her!"
Shion smiled warmly. "Ayaka is a very mature and steady girl, and a good friend. Akemi has told me about her. Her grades seem to be quite good, too. She's a great kid…"
Lucifer cut in, exasperated. "Hey, Shion, why does it sound like you're holding a parent-teacher conference! Come on! That's not how you talk to people!"
Sōryūin Shion simply nodded and extended a hand to Uehara Nana. "Let me introduce myself. Sōryūin Shion. My Akemi has been in your sister's care quite a bit. Are you working here?"
Uehara Nana shook her head, a grin spreading across her face. "No, no, no. Ayaka's the one who can be a bit reckless. As for me, I don't work here… because this boxing gym is mine."
Lucifer sighed dramatically. "Didn't Akemi ever tell you? The Glory Boxing Gym belongs to Ayaka's family. She usually helps out as a sparring partner, which is why Ayaka has such a great physique."
Sōryūin Shion gritted her teeth, a storm brewing in her eyes. "Akemi… that little brat…"
Meanwhile, at Koyo Academy…
"Achoo! Achoo! Achoo! Ugh…"
"My goodness, Sōryūin-san, what's wrong? Did you catch a cold?"
"Teacher Wu… I'm fine…"
"Hmm, then let's continue with the lesson."
Sōryūin Akemi rubbed her nose, a puzzled look on her face. Why did she suddenly feel like she was being watched? After a moment of thought, her mind settled on her older sister. After all, no one else could give her that distinct, ominous feeling…
Back at the gym, the atmosphere had already become quite familiar. The connection through Ayaka and the other girls served as an easy bridge, and they all started chatting comfortably.
"Eh?! Nana, you're in such amazing shape! As expected of the big sister of Glory Boxing Gym!"
"Ahaha… It's alright. Shion, you seem to really encourage your students to exercise?"
Sōryūin Shion nodded enthusiastically. "Of course. See Ren over there? Although my man looks very lean, he actually has that kind of effect under his clothes. That's why I'm an even bigger advocate for exercise. It strengthens your body, makes you more beautiful, and most, it relaxes your mind. What's not to love?"
"That makes sense… that explains it…"
"Explains what?" Shion, Lucifer, and Rino asked in unison.
Uehara Nana looked at them, genuinely confused. "Don't you know? Ayaka told me that Hibiki girl is incredibly strong. She can arm wrestle with Mr. Ren and even make Machio use his full strength. Most, that kid once punched a sandbag so hard it flew clear across the room here…"
Sōryūin Shion's mouth twitched. Her academy was filled with hidden monsters, and her own family was completely in the dark?! This girl was practically a female version of a Kengan Annihilation Tournament Combatant! And that was with her just exercising, with zero actual combat experience. If she were to train in a terrifying martial art like Muay Thai or Jeet Kune Do… she would be Koyo Academy's Fang!
But… her own sister never told her! Shion began to seriously wonder if this was really her sister. Had she been swapped at birth? She used to be such a well-behaved, quiet girl!
Kurayoshi Rino smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "Oh my, Shion. It seems your sister really knows how to make friends. And she doesn't like to make you worry, does she?"
"Yes… yes, she is…" Shion mumbled, her mind still reeling.
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